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Candle Making by Hand-Dipping

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You could argue that this post doesn't belong on my kitchen blog...it's more of a Maker Manns thing. Fair enough. But it was done in my kitchen, with my stove, with my pots, with my knives and my kitchen twine, and I sacrificed the Bodom glass out of my French press. So, I'm still calling it a culinary adventure!

Two of our best friends had mentioned wanting to come over and make candles. They had the wax and the wicks. So, on the first full day of Christmas break from school (last night), Jake picked them up and I rushed home from work to make dinner - jasmine rice, beetroot and pumpkin curry, and mekaral salad. That's for another post. Back to candle making....

After our Sri Lankan-themed dinner, we cranked up the Christmas tunes and went to work.

Materials

  • wax
  • wicks (at first we used some pre-fabricated wicks they brought, then we moved to my 100% cotton kitchen twine)
  • knife for chipping the wax into small pieces
  • tall canister, either tempered glass or metal ,that will fit inside another pot
  • pot
  • water
  • bucket

Procedure
Place your wax chips in a tall container that can withstand heat. As I mentioned, I used my Bodum glass. Place that container in a pot of water where the water comes up about half way on the canister. Heat gently until the wax chips melt.

Have a bucket of water near your work area.

Hold the wick by one end and dip it in the hot wax. Dip it into the cold water. Repeat.



That's all there is to it...


Then hang them somewhere to harden completely.


D and I made small candles to put on his birthday cake next week. And, I think, everyone had a good time. We'll definitely do it again soon.



Have you ever hand-dipped candles? Would love some tips on how to add color and fragrance.
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Comments

  1. A Day in the Life on the FarmDecember 20, 2014 at 4:04 PM

    I didn't realize you had another blog. I don't know where you find the time.

    ReplyDelete

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